The Detroit Red Wings entered the 2023-24 NHL season with minimal expectations. Back in August, the Red Wings were +200 to make the playoffs on FanDuel, one of the leading Michigan sports betting apps.
Detroit has slightly surpassed those preseason expectations, thrusting itself into the playoff hunt. If the season ended today, the Red Wings would earn a postseason berth. They’ve won five of their last six games, playing some of their best hockey of the season of late.
Despite Detroit sitting in good position in the standings, FanDuel still makes it an underdog at +168 to make the playoffs. Several teams below the Red Wings in the Eastern Conference standings hold shorter odds to make the postseason. DraftKings is still more pessimistic than FanDuel about the Red Wings, listing them at +235 to make the playoffs and -300 to miss them.
The health of veteran forward Patrick Kane will be a key storyline in Detroit’s immediate future, as he recently suffered a lower body injury. Kane has played well this season, recording 16 points in 19 games.
Longshot title contender
Making the playoffs would be a significant achievement for the storied franchise. Detroit hasn’t reached the postseason in seven consecutive years after a stretch of elite play before that. The Red Wings made the playoffs every year from 1990-91 through 2015-16.
Given Detroit’s playoff bubble positioning, the Red Wings aren’t viewed as a Stanley Cup contender. They are +10000 to win the championship on both FanDuel and Caesars Sportsbook.
Among other sports betting apps, BetMGM lists Detroit at +8000 and DraftKings has them at +9000. BetRivers gives Detroit shorter odds to win the Stanley Cup, at +5000.
The Red Wings next play Wednesday against the Florida Panthers before a road date with Carolina. Following those two away contests, Detroit plays six consecutive games at home.
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